Fifty-four ambulances that are linked to hospital casualty departments and other ambulances via the internet will join the fleet as of Sunday, Minister of Health Dr. Ali Al-Obaidi announced late Saturday.

"The online services will enable doctors on board of the new ambulances to consult with the nearest hospitals on vital issues relating to the available medical equipment and information, thus helping save lives," he told a press conference at Kuwait Medical Association.

"The Ministry's life-saving efforts took a quantum leap with the introduction of the online services to the ambulance fleet besides the air ambulances which shortened the time of hospitalization of patients particularly from remote areas," Al-Obaidi pointed out.

In addition, the recently-introduced scooter ambulances helped medical personnel provide first aid to patients in crowded areas at a record time in keeping with the internationally-recognized standards, he added.